The Federal Aviation Regulations (also know as FAR's). This is the Bible of aviation, the rules under which we operate. This is where you'll find everything you want to know about pilots and airplanes in the United States. Ask questions. Get answers.

Unless each occupant of the aircraft is wearing an approved parachute, no pilot of a civil aircraft carrying any person (other than a crewmember) may execute any intentional maneuver that exceeds...I don't have a parachute but have a ballistic chute... What are the opinions of my fellow pilotsPersonally I'd rather use the ballistic shoot

If you are worried about it you can file for a waiver based on the airframe chute. I don't know if it will be granted or not. I seem to remember someone being granted a waiver for a S9 doing airshows if I don't have my facts crossed up.

Ballistic chutes are not regulated by 91.307. In fact, in an ELSA or E-AB, there is no regulation that requires you to keep your ballistic chute pack current. In SLSA the manufacturer may do so.

It is, however, a violation of the FAR's if you fly with an emergency chute that is out of pack. So, even though you don't need a chute to fly acro by yourself, if you wear an out of pack chute, you can face FAA action.

smutny wrote:It is, however, a violation of the FAR's if you fly with an emergency chute that is out of pack. So, even though you don't need a chute to fly acro by yourself, if you wear an out of pack chute, you can face FAA action.

If true, that sounds like something that affects only certified airplanes. Since manufacturers set all the maintenance requirements for S-LSA, I'm guessing this doesn't apply to those aircraft.

EDIT: I might have misunderstood your post...if you are referring to worn parachutes, this is correct. I thought you were referring to airframe parachutes.

Upon further reflection what I may be remembering is someone flying in a aerobatic contest with a Rans S-9. The IAC requires a parachute for all competitors. I think they made an exception for this fellow because of the airframe parachute. The IAC rules now allow for either a pilot worn chute or a airframe chute.

IAC competition rules allows for an airframe chute only if the pilot is the sole occupant. If there are two on board, then both need to wear an emergency rig regardless if the airframe has a ballistic chute.

You are not required to wear a chute when flying an air show, some performers don't.

smutny wrote:IAC competition rules allows for an airframe chute only if the pilot is the sole occupant. If there are two on board, then both need to wear an emergency rig regardless if the airframe has a ballistic chute.

You are not required to wear a chute when flying an air show, some performers don't.

I understand that. I was trying to pull something from my grey matter that I either heard or read some 30 plus years ago. As I said earlier there was a S-9 pilot flying airshows or maybe a contest that was granted an exemption by either the FAA or IAC. I don't think IAC had the provision for a airframe chute back then. The facts that I do remember are airframe parachute and exemption.

No FSDO will provide a CoW for 91.307. If you have two people on board, both must wear a parachute. FSDO's do not compromise on issues of safety.

That being said, we've all seen tons of YouTube videos with people flying acro, in the US, with passengers and no chutes. If you end up on the FAA's radar for something, no chutes may be one more thing on your naughty list, but doubtful it is the reason your ended up on their radar to begin with.